"Although it was not covered in this interview, which I thought was pointless, Dick Bass' determination to be the first person to stand on the highest peaks of the seven continents was not without controversy.
Among some of the American climbing community, Bass' project of being the first to nail the seven summits was considered somewhat less than pure, being viewed as a wealthy amateur paying professional guides to accompany him on some of the climbs.
That may seem strange now that much of the public has heard both the good and bad news about professional guiding on Everest as well as many lesser mountains.
But anyone with knowledge and experience in climbing a mountain of substance knows guides and sherpas cannot carry or pull another climber to a peak almost 30,000 feet high as with Everest.
Guides and sherpas provide clients with knowledge, and more importantly, a vital margin of safety to less experienced mountaineers.
Considering Dick Bass started his seven summits quest at an age when most climbers have put away ropes and racks, his determination and success deserve double admiration.
Unfortunately, to date Bass has not been given the recognition and respect by the international climbing community he so rightly has earned.
But I am willing to be anyone of any age who has since followed Dick Bass up those seven peaks are among his greatest admirers."

- John Martin Meek


This movie is part of the collection: Sports Videos

Producer: John Meek
Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: Dick Bass; Seven Summits; AAC; John Meek; Climbing; Mountaineering; American Alpine Club; Everest; Interview
Contact Information: American Alpine Club Library library@americanalpineclub.org 303-384-0112

Creative Commons license: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States

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